Refrigerating apparatus



July 12, 1932. J K 1,866,854

REFRIGERAT ING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 31, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwwntoz W 4, W f 4aLZ July 12, 1932. J G REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 51. 192? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented'July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES." PATENT OFFICE G. I IING, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FRIGIDAIBE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE urnmnmrmc arraaa'rus Application filed October 31, 1927, Serial llo. 229,909. ltenewed'lul'y 26, me.

This invention relates to.ilnprlovem'ents in refrigerating elements for mechanical refrigerators and the application of the same.

It is an object of the invention to provide I an improved form of refrigerating element adapted for use in large mechanical display counter rcfrigeratorsl I It is a further object of the invention to provide a refrigerator element which in combi- 19 nation-with the interior structure of the refrigerator will secure eflicient circulation of the cooling air within said interior.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from-the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved refrigerating element of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the refrigerating element shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a lengthwise side view of a commercial type of display counterrefrigerator equipped with one or more-of the improved refrigerating elements, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional end view of the display counter disclosed in Fig. 3 showing the improved. refrigerating element in position in aaohillihg chamber within said a refrigerator.

Referring in detail to the figures ofthe drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts in the several views, the improved refrigerating element of the invention'comprises a header or tank 1 which is adapted to be connected with a compresser- 0 expander type of refrigerating apparatus, not

shown, through connections 2 and 3.

The header serves as a container for holding a refrigerating medium which may for example be sulphur dioxide in liquid form. This tank serves to distribute the refrigerant to a series of duct loops hereinafter described in detail. The refrigerant is led into the header through pipe 3. A suitable float valve, not shown, serves to maintain a constant level of I liquid in the tank, the vaporized refrige rant bein led'ofi from the tank above the hquid leve by-means of pipe 2.

A series of cooling pipes comprising a plurality of dependent ducts or loops 4 are connected to the header in parallel as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These ducts extend downwardly, assuming the header to be placed in a horizontal position and'more particularly comprise legs 20 depending substantially vertically from the horizontal axis of the header.

These legs are preferably joined by horizontal cross legs or pipes 21 of lesser length than the legs 20. If desired, however, the

cross pipes 21 may be omitted in which case the legs 20 may terminate as blind-ending vertically depending pipes without departing from the'spirit of the invention.

The duct loops 4 com rising legs 20 and 1 cross pipes 21 are provi ed with sheet metal fins 5 attached to the pipes as by soldering so as to insure good thermal contact.

. In the referred embodiment of the invention the nets 4 and fins 5 are connected to the header in such a manner as to produce a fan-shaped structure. To secure this end the ducts may be connected to the header in a a substantially vertically, depending man ner with the ends attached to the header grouped closely together but with the opposite extremities radiating outwardly to a substantial extent from the header and spaced further apart at their remote ends so that a plurality of wedge-shaped air passages 6 are produced between the fins which serve to 'create a circulation of air within the body of the refrigerating element when the same is installed in a display counter as hereinafter more specifically described. The extremities of the metal sheets or fins may be joined by. means of a bracing member or tie-bar 7 so as to strengthen the structure and prevent damage during handling.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the improved re frigerating element mounted in a refrigerator of the display counter type. In such capacity its functionis toreplace the ice blocksnormally usedfor cooling and circulating the air within the case.

In the refrigerator display case shown in ture adapted for refrigerating foodstufis while maintaining the same on display. It

comprises essentially a cabinet of substantially rectangular ground plan having a base 5 14 and a horizontal top as well as a 'front wall 18 which may slant as shown in Fig. 4.

A wall 16 extends up to about two-thirds of the distance to the top whence it may continue as a sloping wall 17. The front wall 18 which faces the customers is provided with glass panels, preferably of the multiple air-space insulated type indicated by 13. The top is likewise provided with similar panels. Doors 11 and 12 are provided in the rear walls 16 and 17 of the case to permit access to the interior, and, if desired, such doors may also be provided with glass panels as shown at 12 to permit inspection of the contents without opening the doors. The interior of the case may be provided with an impervious lining such as enameled or otherwise coated metal 24 and the walls'are prefer ably insulated with a suitable heat insulating material 23 such as corkboard or the like. The display case is provided with a chilling compartment or chamber at each end thereof and a refrigerating elements is disposed in each chamber as shown in Fig. 3. The elements are preferably supported in 80 the chamber by attaching the headers to the -case by means of brackets" or hangers 10. A similar chilling chambr is provided in the center of the case. Bafile walls (not shown) define the inside side walls of the chilling chambers and these walls have'means such as flues through which air may circulate. Shelves 22 may be provided in the interior of the case for supporting food and these are preferably so constructed, e. g. of screening or grating or by being suitably spaced from the inside walls, that the air circulation is not impaired but rather so that the circulatin air passes over the entire contents of t e case.

The refrigerating elements are connected to a suitable compressor unit, not shown, by means of pipes 2 and 3 as hereinbefore mentioned. Such a unit may be located at a ment.

In the operation of the display counter the refrigerating medium in the vertically dependent legs absorbs heat from the surrounding air, thus serving to cool and to circulate the same. The fins on the legs aid in increasing the effective radiating surface of the loops and serve to form passageways for directing the flow of the air currents. The ascending warm air in the case enters the chilling chambers and is directed downwardly between the air channels or passageways formed by the fins and after being 1 chilled flows out into the interior of the case, 05 its flow being guided by the bottom and point remote from the case e. g. in the baseto of the case and the bafile walls and flues w ich define the billing chambers.

After absorbing the heat of the articles displayed within the case the heated air travels upwardl and returns to the chilling chambers. Eac chilling chamber produces its own range of air circulation, the currents of which meet in the space in the case between two of the chambers, thus insuring efiicient cooling of the entire interior of the case.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope ofthe claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A refrigerating element for mechanical refrigerators comprising a horizontal header, duct loops depending from the body of said header and connected thereto in said fins com rising sheet metal members attached to said loops in ood thermal relation, said ducts and said Ens formin a fanshaped structure radiatin outwar y from aral- I lel circuit relation, fins upon said duct oops,

the header body and provi ing wedge-shaped air passages between said fins.

'2. A refrigerating element for mechanical refrigerators comprising a horizontal header, a series of ducts each com risin two legs depending from the body 0 said eader and connected thereto in parallel circuit relation, cross pipes connecting said legs at the extremit remote from said header fins on said duct oops, said fins comprisin plane sheet metal members attached to sai ducts and cross p'pes in good thermal relation, the planes of said fins radiating from said header to provide substantially wedge-shaped air passa es between said fins. 3. I n a display case refrigerator, a food di lay compartment of substantially rectanglfl r ound plan, sloping front and rear walls or said case, a plurality of chilling chambers within said compartment, a refrigeratin element disposed in each chamber,

each 0 said refrigerating elements comprising a header, a plurality of ducts depending from said header and connected thereto in parallel circuit relation but in non-parallel spatial relation to each other and conforming to the shape of said walls.

4. 'In a display .case refrigerator, a case of substantially rectangular ground plan having sloping walls, a chilling chamber at each end and in the center thereof, a refrigerating element in each chilling chamber, each of said refrigerating elements comprising a header, a plurality of ductsdepending from said header and connected thereto in parallel circuit relation but in non-parallel spatial relation to each other, said ducts having metal fins attached thereto and extending in the same direction as said ducts, the planes of saididucts and said fins radiating from thermally-secured to said ducts for providsaid header to provide substantially wedgeing wedge-shaped air passages between said shaped air passages between said fins, said ducts, said air passages extending below said shape being substantially that defined by header.

the sloping walls of said case.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my sig 5. A refrigerating element for mechaninature.

cal refrigerators comprising a plurality of heat exchange means, said heat exchange means being arranged to form a relatively flat fan-shaped structure and including refrigerant. conveying duct. portions and plate portions associated with'the duct portions, said heat exchange means being spaced from one an'other'to provide wedge-shaped air passages therebetween.

6. A refrigerating element for mechanical refrigerators comprising a header, a plurality of heat exchange means, said heat exchange means including refrigerant conveying duct portions connected with the header and plate portions associated with the duct portions, said platev portions being spaced from one another and extendingthroughout the width of said header to provide a plu ralityof wedge-shaped air passages, said air passagesextending below said header.

7. In a display case refrigerator, a food,

display compartment of substantially rectangular ground plan, sloping front and rear walls for said case, a chilling chamber within said compartment, a refrigerating element disposed in said chamber, said refrigerating element comprising a plurality of heatexchange means including refrigerantconveye ing duct portions, said heat exchange means arranged to conform to the shape of,said walls and being spaced apart to provide'a plurality of wedge-shaped air passages through said chamber.

8. In a display case refrigerator, a food display compartment ofsubstantially rectangular ground plan, sloping front and rear walls for said case, a chilling chamber within said compartment, a refrigerating element disposed insaid chamber, said refrigerating element comprising a header, a plurality of heat exchange means including refrigerant conveying duct portions connected to said header. said heat exchange means arranged to conform to the shapeofsaid walls and being spaced apart to provide a plurality of air passages through said chamber. r

9. A refrigerating element for mechanical refrigerators/comprising a header. a plurality of ducts connected to said header in parallel circuit relation, fins extending throughout the width of said header and thermally l secured to said ducts for providing wedg'e shaped air passages between said ducts,

10. A refrigerating element for mechanical refrigerators comprising a header, a plurality of ducts connected to said header in. parallel circuit relation, fins extending,

65 throughout the width of said header and I 

